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Social class and Black-White differences in breast cancer survival

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  • Bassett, M.T.
  • Krieger, N.

Abstract

In the United States, Blacks have poorer survival rates than Whites for breast cancer. The root of this difference - social or genetic - is unclear. Utilizing the Western Washington Cancer Surveillance System and 1980 Census block group data, we examined social class and race as predictors of breast cancer survival in 1,506 women during their first 11 years following diagnosis (251 Blacks, 1,255 Whites). In a Cox regression model, after adjustment for Black-White differences in age, stage, and histology, Black mortality was 1.35 times that of Whites (95%CI = 1.05-1.72). Following additional adjustment for social class, as measured by a variety of block group characteristics, Black mortality was only 1.10 times that of Whites (95%CI = 0.83-1.46). In both Blacks and Whites, poorer social class was a powerful determinant of shortened survival. These results indicate that the observed breast cancer survival differences between Black and White women today in the US today is substantially due to the poorer social class standing of Blacks.

Suggested Citation

  • Bassett, M.T. & Krieger, N., 1986. "Social class and Black-White differences in breast cancer survival," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 76(12), pages 1400-1403.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1986:76:12:1400-1403_1
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    Cited by:

    1. Sudano, Joseph J. & Baker, David W., 2006. "Explaining US racial/ethnic disparities in health declines and mortality in late middle age: The roles of socioeconomic status, health behaviors, and health insurance," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(4), pages 909-922, February.
    2. Anusha M Vable & Paola Gilsanz & Thu T Nguyen & Ichiro Kawachi & M Maria Glymour, 2017. "Validation of a theoretically motivated approach to measuring childhood socioeconomic circumstances in the Health and Retirement Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(10), pages 1-23, October.

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